Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Stanley Cup Final matchup is now set as the Detroit Red Wings pulled off a 2-1 OT home win over the young Chicago Blackhawks to win their Western Conference Final series 4-1. Without a handful of regulars Detroit succeeded on the heels of some of the consistent understudies. However, one Former Islander shone in the crowd. Here is a look:

After a rocky regular season goaltender Chris Osgood has earned himself a repeat trip to the Stanley Cup Final and has done it again after having an excellent playoffs. Ozzie stopped 30 of 31 shots faced to secure the win. He received the first star honor for his effort and is now 12-4 on the playoffs with a slim 2.06 goals against average, a hearty .925 save percentage and 1 shutout. Compare the gaa and save % against his regular season numbers (3.09, .887) and we can see a clear picture of the effort the veteran backstopper is bringing with him game-after-game to the playoffs.

Check in soon as the Stanley Cup Final kicks off on Saturday (moved up from Wednesday). It will be a rematch of last year's final except with Marian Hossa wearing Red and White this year. Quite a few Former Islanders are chasing Lord Stanley's glory including Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and of course Chris Osgood of the Wings. In the running for his name on the Cup as well is winger Eric Godard of Pitt who has not had any ice time in the playoffs but did suit up for 71 regular season matches with the Pens.

The Eastern Conference champion was crowned on Tuesday night as the mighty Pittsburgh Penguins deconstructed the host Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 to sweep their series 4-0. The 'Canes, who made it to the Eastern Conference Final with relative ease, never found their form during the series and were literally made to look silly by the Pens. Three, count em, three Former Islanders helped seal up the victory for the Penguins. Here is a look:

Winger Ruslan Fedotenko kicked off the scoring for the Pens at the 8:21 mark of the 1st Period after the 'Canes had grabbed a 1-0 lead only 96 seconds into play. Fedo has had goals in back-to-back games and now has 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points on 17 games. Up next was once-exiled winger Miroslav Satan who received the assist on the fluky game-winning goal by Max Talbot at the 18:31 mark of the 1st. With 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) over the last 5 games Satan now has 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) on 11 games overall. Last up for the cavalcade of FIs was 1st star Bill Guerin who scored the beautiful insurance goal midway through the 2nd frame. With a 3 game point streak in which he has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) Billy G has had a high-flying playoffs with 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) on 17 games. Of all Pittsburgh FIs Guerin has stood out as the most capable and his veteran experience and hockey sense has earned him a chance to win the Stanley Cup ring for the first time since he was with the New Jersey Devils (1995).

Check back soon for more updates as we continue to follow the Chicago/Detroit series.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Red Wings smacked down the host Chicago Blackhawks 6-1 all but stymying the young corps' dreams of Stanley Cup glory as Detroit took a stranglehold 3-1 series lead with the victory. Here is a look at the Former Islander happening:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood stopped 18 of 19 shots faced in 40 solid minutes of work before ceding the 3rd Period to backup tender Ty Conklin. Ozzie had played essentially every possible minute of the playoffs for the Detroit and earned a much deserved rest as Conk Block took the Wings home to victory. Osgood is now 11-4 on the playoffs with a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Check in soon with FIW for more highlights and recaps as we fly headlong into the Stanley Cup Final.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made an emphatic statement crushing the host Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 in Game 3 to grab a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final pairing. A pair of Former Islanders helped the surging Pens to the commanding victory. Here is a look:

Winger Bill Guerin assisted on the team's 2nd goal and capped the scoring on the powerplay with only 68 seconds left to play. The 38 year old winger is literally having the best postseason of his career and now has 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) on 16 games. The 13 points is a single playoff best for the player who secured a Cup ring with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. Over the last 2 games he has 4 points on 1 goal and 3 assists. Scoring Pitt's 4th goal and adding an assist on the Billy G netter was winger Ruslan Fedotenko. The game was the 3rd multi-point night of the playoffs for Fedo who now has 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) on 16 games. The extra man helper snapped a 25 game playoff game streak without an powerplay point dating back to June 7, 2004 - the fated Game 7 when Tank, then with the Tampa Bay Lightning, defeated the Calgary Flames to hoist the Stanley Cup.

There was one game on tap on Friday night as the Western Conference Finals reached Game 3. The upstart Blackhawks pulled within one win of the defending champion Red Wings with a 4-3 OT victory at home. Chicago now trails Detroit 2-1 in their series. Here is a look at the Former Islander happening:

Chris Osgood had perhaps his least spectacular game of the playoffs stopping onl 23 of 27 shots faced including surrendering only the 2nd shot of OT. Ozzie is now 10-4 on the postseason and saw his 3 game win streak come to an end with the loss.

Check back soon with FIW for more updates as we continue to follow the conference final matchups.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins was a doozy with Rushan center Evgeni Malkin netting a hat trick as the Pens downed the 'Canes 7-4 at home. The victory increased Pitt's series lead to 2-0. Here is a look at the noteworthy Former Islander accomplishment:

Winger Bill Guerin assisted on the Pens' 1st and 4th goals. Guerin snapped a 4 game assist-less streak and now has 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points on 13 games. Billy G has been in top form since joining the Penguins late in the season scoring 10 goals and adding 16 assists for 26 points on 30 games between the regular season and the postseason. The 11 points equals his prior playoff high from the 1995 playoffs when Guerin was with the Cup-winning New Jersey Devils. However it took Billy G 20 games to score 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) instead of the much faster 13 of this current postseason.

Check back soon with FIW as we may have already reached the midpoint of the two conference finals.

The defending Stanley Cup champions looked good, real good, as they took on the cinderella Blachawks on Tuesday night. Again, the key Former Islander in this series stood out. Here is a look:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood stopped 37 of 39 shots including the 2 he faced in OT as the Red Wings edged Chicago 3-2 at home to take an early 2-0 series lead. Ozzie has now won 3 straight starts and is an impressive 10-3 (.769 win percentage) in his 13 starts with a 2.04 goals against average an a .925 save percentage. While the numbers are slightly lower than his unbelievably 2008 playoff run Osgood has looked at times like the true leader on the ice making timely saves and finding great positioning.

Check back soon with FIW for more as the conference finals roll along.

The surprisingly good Carolina Hurricanes marched into Pittsburgh Monday night ready for a fight and a fight they did receive. The Penguins edged the 'Canes 3-2 to grab a 1-0 series lead. One of the numerous Former Islanders on Pitt stood out. Here is a look:

Winger Miroslav Satan scored the opening goal just 9 minutes into regulation, his first playoff goal in over 2 years, to help lead the charge. Struggling to make the roster each playoff game, Satan earned a little more credibility with the score. The last time Satan scored a playoff goal was on April 20, 2007 when the Isles fell in 5 games to the Buffalo Sabres. The netter snapped a 7 game playoff goal-less streak as the Czech national now has 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) on 8 games.

If a movie were to made of the 2009 NHL playoffs through the eyes of Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood it would likely be called "Ozzie's Excellent Adventure" or "A Tale of Two Seasons". The goalie who suffered an enigmatically bad regular season stats-wise has been a crackerjack top form backstoppper through the first two rounds. Entering the Western Conference Finals keep all eyes on Ozzie. Here is a look at the Red Wing's first game against the hated Chicago Blackhawks.

The Wings manhandled the visiting 'Hawks in the final 13 minutes of play as they downed the upstarts 5-2 to grab an early 1-0 series lead. Osgood stopped 30 of 32 shots faced to improve to 9-3 on 12 playoff games with a goals against average just above 2.00 and a save percentage hovering around .920. Could this be the postseason that Osgood will finally receive the Conn Smythe Trophy he deserves? Only time will tell.

Friday, May 15, 2009

The last two 2nd Round playoff series wrapped up on Thursday night solidifying the Eastern and Western Conference final matchups. Two attempted come-from-behinds were thwarted as a giant fell and a defending champ rose to the occasion. A lone Former Islander came to the rescue in one contest while in the other the mighty Boston Bruins were felled by the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in OT at home as the 'Canes capped a one-time 3-1 series lead to pull off a 4-3 series victory. Here is a look at the FI notable accomplishment of the evening:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood was just good enough stopping 24 of 27 shots faced as the Red Wings pulled out a 4-3 win over the visiting Anaheim Ducks with only 3 minutes remaining in regulation. The Wings have now won 6 straight playoff series and advance to the Western Conference Final for the 2nd straight season. Most of that success has come on the heals of Ozzie who has been a rock for this team when the pressure is on. Osgood improved to 8-3 on the postseason with a 2.06 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Ozzie has gone an amazing 22-7 (.759 win percentage) over the last 6 series.

Check back with FIW soon as the Conference Finals kick off on Sunday with the Wings hosting their bitter rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks. On Monday the surprisingly good 'Canes will tangle with the host Pittsburgh Penguins, last year's defending Conference champion. Only 2 teams (Pitt and Detroit) are housing FIs with Osgood starring in net for the Wings while the Pens have a stockpile of FIs in wingers Ruslan Fedotenko, Bill Guerin and Miroslav Satan. Tough guy Eric Godard has failed to make an appearance yet in the postseason. These 4 players represent the last hope for potential FI Cup winners. Thanks for reading.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

With the pivotal Game 7 in the Washington Capitals/Pittsburgh Penguins series on tap it was bound to be a hot night for hockey. The Pens jumped to a quick lead and never relinquished crushing the host Caps 6-2 to take the series 4 games to 3. Here is a look at the game:

When 3 FIs step up and make it to the boxscore it was bound to be a good game for the Penguins. Wingers Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan all got involved. Billy G scored the game winning goal only 28 seconds into the 2nd Period. Guerin has 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) on 13 games this postseason including 2 game winners. On his playoff career he has exactly a point-per-every-2-games with 59 (33 goals, 26 assists) on 118 games including 4 game winners, half of them in this playoff stretch alone. Second star Fedotenko assisted on the Pens' game changing 2nd goal late in the 1st Period. Fedo has 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) on 13 playoff games but has been a difference maker as of late with 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) over the last 5 games. Tank has reached 25 career playoff points on 17 goals and 8 assists in 66 games. Satan kicked in 2 assists on Pitt's 4th and 5th goals for a multi-point night. He has 4 assists over the last 4 games and now has 4 points on 7 postseason tilts. Satan has 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) on 63 postseason contests. The Pens win advances them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2nd straight season.

With 2 series on the brink of being wrapped up on Tuesday night there were 2 squads that avoided elimination and brought their 2nd Round series to pivotal Game 7s. Alas only 1 Former Islander was involved in those games with the Boston Bruins surviving against the host Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 to even a series they trailed 3-1 in at 3 wins a piece in the other contest. Here is a look at the other game:

The Ducks pulled off a must-win 2-1 victory over the visiting Detroit Red Wings to even the series at 3-3 forcing the final game at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood played well stopping 26 of 28 shots but the Wings' offense failed for 2nd time in 6 games letting the now top-form backstopper down. Ozzie is 7-3 in all 10 of the Detroit playoff games with an impressive 1.97 goals against average, a .924 save percentage and 1 shutout.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Finally caught up, Former Islander Watch is now covering Sunday and Mondays contests. FIs were involved in both Sunday games and both Monday games as the 2nd round series start wrapping up. Here is a look at the FI action:

Sunday

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood did not have much to face as the Red Wings defense stepped up allowing only 17 shots on goal with only 1 slipping passed the goalie as the Wings thumped the visiting Anaheim Ducks to snatch a 3-2 series lead. Ozzie has played a pretty excellent 9 games going 7-2 on the playoffs with a slim 1.97 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. It has been a tale of 2 seasons for Osgood who struggled through the regular season but has found top form in the postseason.

Somebody finally found Zdeno Chara. The Boston captain and defenseman made an appearance notching 2 assists as the Bruins blanked the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The win kept the much favored Bruins alive as the 'Canes hold onto a 3-2 series lead. Chara assisted on the powerplay game winner at the 14:48 mark of the 1st Period and the Bs' 3rd goal early in the 2nd. The helpers snapped a 5 game point-less streak for the giant on skates. Chara now has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) on 9 playoff games.

Monday

Washington center Viktor Kozlov led his team with 2 big goals as the Capitals staved off elimination with a 5-4 OT win over the host Pittsburgh Penguins. The series, predicted by Caps' owner Ted Leonsis to be a "classic" in the making, has lived up to the billing. Despite being outshot 42 to 24 the Capitals persevered on timely goals including the 2 tallies but 1st star Kozlov. He snapped a 3 game point-less stretch and now has 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) on 13 games. Winger Bill Guerin opened the scoring only 5:55 into the 1st Period. Billy G now has 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) on 12 games.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo was embarrassed surrendering 7 goals on 30 shots as the host Chicago Blackhawks shocked the Canucks with a 7-5 win. The victory sealed the series for the 'Hawks 4-2 and makes them the first team to advance to the Conference Finals round. The Blackhawks were down 5-4 with only 7:45 remaining in play before they busted out 3 goals in a span of 3:17 to seal the victory. Lu was helpless dropping his 4th loss in his last 5 starts. After a 5 game win streak to start the playoffs the wheels for else for Luongo who finished the postseason with a 6-4 record, a 2.52 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The 7 goals against was a single game postseason worst for the usually solid backstopper.

Check in soon as we continue to track the 2nd round series as they wind down.

It was another sweep on Saturday as Former Islanders stepped up in both games. Here is a look at the FI happenings:

There was another trio of FI scoring as the Washington-Pittsburgh series clunks along. Winger Ruslan Fedotenko scored only 51 seconds into the 3rd Period as the Penguins overcame a late Capitals for a 4-3 OT win. With the win the Pens take a strangehold 3-2 series lead. Fedo score for the 3rd straight game for the 3rd time in his playoff career and first since May 18-22, 2004 while with the future Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning. Fedo now has 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points on 11 games. Also aiding the Pens' cause was winger Miroslav Satan who assisted on the opening goal early in the 2nd Period. With 2 assists in the last 2 games Satan now has 2 points on 5 playoff games. Notching a helper on Washington's first goal was defenseman Tom Poti. Snapping a 5 game point-less streak since his big 4 point night against his former New York Rangers in the first round, Poti now has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points on 12 games.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped only 26 of 29 shots as the visiting Chicago Blackhawks doubled up on the Canucks for a 4-2 win and a massive 3-2 series lead. Lu lost for the 3rd time in his last 4 starts and is now 6-3 on the playoffs despite a goals against average a shade above 2.00.

We continue to try and catch up here at Former Islander Watch and are now setting our sights to Thursday May 7 and Friday May 8. FIs helped out in the 2 Thursday night matchups but only 1 of the 2 Friday night pairings. Here is a brief look:

Thursday

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo played well but the Canucks fell fate to a timely Chicago goal as the host Blackhawks edged the 'Nucks 2-1 in OT. The series is now even at 2 wins apiece. After winning 5 straight to start the postseason Lu has now dropped 2 of his last 3 games for a 6-2 record.

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood played well stopping 25 of 28 shots as the Red Wings crushed the host Anaheim Ducks to even their series at 2-2. Ozzie is now 6-2 on the postseason snapping a 2 game losing streak that gave the Ducks a short-lived series lead.

Friday

A trio of FIs helped out the Penguins as Pittsburgh got past the visiting Washington Capitals 5-3 to even their series as 2-2. The highlight of the night, however, was the return to the boxscore of winger Miroslav Satan who was playing in only his 4th game this postseason after spending the last 17 games on the NHL regular season in the minors at the Pens' AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre Penguins. Satan last scored a point on March 1 snapping a 4 game point-less stretch. He also snapped a 3 game playoff point-less streak dating back to April 20, 2007 when the Isles played in the first round against the Buffalo Sabres. Satan received the primary assist on the game winning goal just over 4 minutes into the 3rd Period. Receiving the 2nd assist was fellow Isles teammate Bill Guerin who also added a goal earlier in the contest. Billy G has done well, not great, scoring 3 goals and adding 4 assists for 7 points on 10 games. The final FI in the group was Ruslan Fedotenko who scored a goal and added a helper on the insurance goal. Fedo has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 2 games and now has 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points on 10 games.

Check in soon for more updates and highlights as the Conference Finals loom just over the hill.

We are way behind on the times here at Former Islander Watch. We will try to catch up by doubling the days. Here is a look at Tuesday May 5 and Wednesday May 6. FIs were involved in both games on Tuesday and 1 of the 2 games on Wednesday. Here is a peek:

Tuesday

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 23 of 24 shots as the Canucks downed the host Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. Lu has been an impressive 6-1 in his first 7 games in the playoffs surrendering only 14 goals in that span.

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood looked good but the offense failed him as the Red Wings fell 2-1 to the host Anaheim Ducks. With the victory the Ducks grabbed a 2-1 series lead. Ozzie stopped 21 of 23 shots faced but lost for the 2nd straight games as Anaheim is stunning the defending champions in a lackluster offensive performance all around. After winning 5 straight to start the playoffs Osgood is now 5-2 with only 13 goals finding their way past him.

Wednesday

Pittsburgh winger Ruslan Fedotenko scored his team's first goal as the Penguins pulled out a 3-2 OT win over the visiting Washington Capitals. The win cut the Caps' series lead to 2-1. Fedo now has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the first 9 games of the playoffs. A Stanley Cup ring wearer, Fedotenko can be an immense help to his teams. When Fedo has notched a point in this playoff the Pens have a 2-1 record.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Oh, it was a classic in Washington as the Capitals edged the Penguins 4-3 and the two top superstars, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, each netted their first career playoff hat tricks. Add to that the fact that 2 Former Islanders helped out and right there you have a beautiful picture. Here is a look at the contest:

With the victory the Caps now lead Pittsburgh 2-0 as the squads head to Steel City for Game 3. Washington center Viktor Kozlov assisted on Ovie's 1st and 3rd goals, the final one the game winner, to help support the winger. With 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 4 games Koz now has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) on 9 games this postseason. Pittsburgh winger Bill Guerin assisted on Crosby's 2nd goal midway through the 2nd Period. Guerin has one assist in each of the last 3 games and now has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) on 8 games. The last time Billy G had points in 3 or more consecutive postseason games was between April 18-25, 2002 when he had 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 4 games while with the Boston Bruins as they faced off against the Montreal Canadiens.

There were 2 more games on Sunday as the playoffs chug along. With every second round series now started it is now time for the meat of the competition. There was only 1 Former Islander happening of note. Here is a look:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood's win streak came to end over 101 minutes into the game as the Anaheim Ducks edged the host Red Wings in 3OT 4-3 to even their series at 1-1. Ozzie stopped 42 of 46 shots including 16 of the 17 he faced in the 3 overtimes but it was the one off of the stick of Todd Marchant only 1:15 into OT #3 that got past him. Ozzie never even saw the puck. He is now 5-1 on the playoffs with a 1.95 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. This is definitely a different Osgood than the one who struggled with consistency throughout the regular season. This is Playoff Osgood-Man.

There were a pair of games on Saturday and a pair of Former Islander happenings. Lovely how that works. Here is a look at the (mis)deeds of the FIs:

Pittsburgh winger Bill Guerin assisted on his team's first goal only 4:09 into play as the Penguins were edged by the host Washington Capitals 3-2. The Caps quickly grabbed a 1-0 series lead with the victory. Billy G has had assists in back-to-back games after going scoreless in his last 3 games and now has 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points on 7 contests.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo got torn up for 5 goals on 31 shots as the Chicago Blackhawks crushed the host Canucks 6-3 to even the series at a win apiece. Lu had his worst performance in exactly a month previously surrendering 5 goals in a game on April 2. Due to the performance Lu's numbers fell off a little bit with his goals against average rising to 2.06 and his save percentage dropping to .933.

There were 2 games on tap on Friday night as the second round series continue to kickoff. There was 1 Former Islander accomplishment of note. Let us take a look:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood stopped 22 of 24 shots faced to improve to 5-0 on the postseason as the Red Wings edged the visiting Anaheim Ducks 3-2. The Wings grabbed a quick 1-0 series lead with the victory. Detroit walked away with this one having scored with only 50 seconds remaining in regulation in what was a tight tilt. Over those 5 games Ozzie has let in only 9 goals for a 1.80 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. In other news, Osgood received the secondary assist on Detroit's first goal, a powerplay tally. The helper was the 4th of Osgood's playoff career coming in his 110th postseason game. During the regular season Ozzie averages one assist per every 39.44 games but in the playoffs that number drops to one helper per every 27.50 games.

The second round of the 2009 NHL playoffs kicked off with a battle between the well-rested Canucks and the spry Blackhawks. Here is a look at the Former Islander effort in that game:

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 28 of 31 shots to improve to 5-0 on the playoffs as the host Canucks overcame a 3 goal collapse to pull off a 5-3 win. Vancouver now leads Chicago 1-0 in their series. The 3 goals were the most Lu has surrendered so far this postseason. The goalie has managed to surrender only 8 goals over this 5 game span. To go along with the 5 straight playoff wins Luongo has won 8 overall dating back to April 7 of the regular season.